Contents
Practical hints................................. 325
What to do if …?................................. 326
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 326
Lamp in center console................ 334
Vehicle status messages
in the multifunction display .......... 335
Where will I find...? ............................ 365
First aid kit ................................... 365
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, spare wheel ........... 365
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 367
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 367
Locking the vehicle ...................... 368
Fuel filler flap ............................... 369
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 370
Tilt/sliding sunroof ...................... 370
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 371
SmartKey ..................................... 371
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 372
Replacing bulbs ................................. 373
Bulbs ............................................ 374
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 376
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps..... 377Replacing wiper blades....................... 379
Removing wiper blades ................. 379
Installing wiper blades .................. 380
Flat tire ............................................... 381
Preparing the vehicle .................... 381
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 381
Battery................................................ 386
Disconnecting the battery............. 387
Removing the battery.................... 387
Charging and reinstalling
the battery .................................... 387
Reconnecting the battery.............. 388
Jump starting ...................................... 389
Towing the vehicle .............................. 391
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 393
Fuses .................................................. 394
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 394
Fuse boxes in passenger
compartment ................................ 395
Fuse boxes in engine
compartment ................................ 396
Technical data.................................. 397
Parts service ...................................... 398
Warranty coverage ............................. 399
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 399
Identification labels ............................ 400
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 401
CL 500 .......................................... 401
CL 55 AMG ................................... 401
CL 600 and CL 65 AMG ................ 401
Engine ................................................ 402
Rims and Tires.................................... 404
Same size tires ............................. 405
Mixed size tires ............................. 407
Spare wheel .................................. 408
Electrical system ................................ 409
Main Dimensions and weights............ 410
Main Dimensions .......................... 410
Weights......................................... 410
14 IntroductionWhere to find itThis Operator’s Manual is designed to pro-
vide comprehensive support information
for you, the vehicle operator. For you to
find information quickly each section has
its own reference color:At a glance
Here you will find an overview of all the
controls that can be operated from the
driver’s seat.Getting started
Here you will find all the information you
need for your first drive. You should read
this section first if this is your first
Mercedes-Benz vehicle or if you are rent-
ing or borrowing this vehicle.Safety and Security
Here you will find descriptions of the safety
features of your vehicle.
Controls in detail
Here you will find detailed information
about the equipment installed in your vehi-
cle. This section expands on the “Getting
started” section and also describes techni-
cal innovations. If you are already familiar
with the basic functions of your vehicle,
this section will be of particular interest to
you.Operation
Here you will find all the information you
need for the proper operation of your vehi-
cle.Practical hints
This section provides fast assistance for
dealing with problems you may encounter.
Technical data
All important technical data for your vehi-
cle can be found in this section.Indexes
The glossary provides explanations of the
most important technical terms.
The table of contents and the index are de-
signed to help you find information quickly
and easily.
The following publications are part of your
vehicle documentation:
this Operator’s Manual
the Maintenance Booklet
Separate operating instructions will be
provided as required depending on the
equipment options installed in your vehi-
cle.
16 IntroductionOperating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:
the safety precautions in this manual
the “Technical data” section in this
manual
traffic rules and regulations
motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires/wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.
275 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking the engine oil level with the
control system
When checking the oil level
the vehicle must be parked on level
ground
with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been sta-
tionary for at least five minutes with the
engine turned off
with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 30 minutes
with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the multi-
function display, do the following:
Switch on ignition (
page 34).
The standard display (
page 142) should
appear in the multifunction display.
Press buttonk or j on the
steering wheel until the following mes-
sage is seen in the multifunction dis-
play:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
MEASURING NOW
CORRECT MEASUREMENT
ONLY IF VEH. LEVELOne of the following messages will sub-
sequently appear in the indicator:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
OK
ADD 1.0 QT. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL(Canada:
1.0 LITER
)
ADD 1.5 QTS. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL(Canada:
1.5 LITERS
)
ADD 2.0 QTS. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL(Canada:
2.0 LITERS
)
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 278).
For more information on engine oil, see
“Technical data” section (
page 411) and
(
page 413).iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press the k or j but-
ton on the multifunction steering
wheel.
277 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking the engine oil level with the
oil dipstick (CL 500, CL 55 AMG only)
When checking the oil level
the vehicle must be parked on level
ground
with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been sta-
tionary for at least five minutes with the
engine turned off
To check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:
Open the hood (
page 273).
Pull out oil dipstick1 (
page 278).
Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.
Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the dip-
stick guide tube.
Pull out oil dipstick1 again after ap-
proximately three seconds to obtain
accurate reading.
Oil dipstickThe oil level is correct when it is between
the lower (min) and upper (max) mark of
the oil dipstick.
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 278).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 411) and
(
page 413).
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(page 348)
iThe engine oil level can be checked by
either the oil dipstick or via the multi-
function display in the instrument clus-
ter (
page 275). The amount of engine
oil needed is shown more precisely in
the multifunction display.
iThe filling quantity between upper and
lower oil dipstick marking level is ap-
proximately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
279 Operation
Engine compartment
CL 65 AMG1Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap 1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 411) and
(
page 413).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the automatic transmission.
Active Body Control (ABC) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required. If
you notice fluid leaks or malfunction mes-
sages in the multifunction display, have an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check
the ABC system.Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level,
the vehicle must be parked on level
ground, and
the engine must be cool.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the en-
gine and catalytic converter not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
291 Operation
Tires and wheels
Certification label
Even after careful determination of the
combined weight of all occupants, cargo
and the trailer tongue load (if applicable)
(page 291) as to not exceed the permis-
sible load limit, you must make sure that
your vehicle never exceeds the Gross Vehi-
cle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the
front or rear axle. You can obtain the
GVWR and GAWR from the Certification la-
bel. The Certification Label can be found
on the driver’s door B-pillar, see “Technical
data” (
page 400).Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The
total weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
all cargo, and the trailer tongue load
(
page 291) must never exceed the
GVWR.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): The to-
tal allowable weight that can be carried by
a single axle (front or rear).
To assure that your vehicle does not ex-
ceed the maximum permissible weight
limits (GVWR and GAWR for front and rear
axle), have the loaded vehicle (including
driver, passengers and all cargo and, if ap-
plicable, trailer fully loaded) weighed on a
suitable commercial scale.Trailer tongue load
The tongue load of any trailer is an impor-
tant weight to measure because it affects
the load you can carry in your vehicle. If a
trailer is towed, the tongue load must be
added to the weight of all occupants riding
and any cargo you are carrying in the
vehicle. The tongue load typically is ten
percent of the trailer weight and every-
thing loaded in it.
Your Mercedes-Benz has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and their
cargo. Mercedes-Benz does not recom-
mend trailer towing with your vehicle.
397 Technical data
Parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and Tires
Electrical system
Main Dimensions and weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.